This Cop “Nose” a Drug Ring When He Smells One
N.J. cop followed his nose to the largest pot bust in state history
By KELLY BAYLISS
Updated 4:22 PM EDT, Thu, Mar 11, 2010
Officer Thomas Lucasiewicz followed his nose and it led him to the largest pot-growing bust in New Jersey history.
On February 12, the Monroe County officer was patrolling the streets when he smelled burning marijuana and followed the smell until he saw smoke rising from a chimney in a Middlesex County home.
Inside, police found Thu N. Nguyen, 44, and more than 1,000 pot plants.
Their findings led them to five more homes in Millstone Township, Old Bridge, Manahawkin and Manalapan, more than 3,300 plants, 115 pounds of harvest pot and $65K in cash – totaling over $10 million, said police.
"These were high-end homes in affluent neighborhoods. Several of them were worth in excess of $1 million and rented for $4,000 a month," Sgt. Steven Jones told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Nguyen, a Canadian citizen, was detained in the county jail after failing to post the $1 million dollar bail. He’s charged with maintaining a marijuana cultivation facility, possession with intent to distribute and theft of services for allegedly stealing electricity.
Five others have been charged similarly. Three remain at large and are believed to have fled the U.S., according to the Inky.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC Philadelphia
First Published: Mar 11, 2010 9:54 AM EDT
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